Tongue and notch cutting device for perforated tape



March 10, 1959 H. L. THOLSTRUP 2,876,943

TONGUE AND NOTCH CUTTING DEVICE FOR PERFORATED TAPE Filed July 20, 1955 INVENTOR j-mer ,4 7Z/JAJ7KIIP ATTo EY-S Sttes TONGUE AND NOTCH CUTTING DEVICE FOR PERFORATED TAPE Application July 20, 1955, Serial No. 523,396

3 Claims. (Cl. 225-7) This invention relates to a device for providing indications of the forward and rear ends respectively of a completed strip of perforated tape and, more particularly, to a device formingpart of a perforated tape punch for cutting a tongue in the forward end and a notch in the rear end of a completed strip of perforated tape.

It is well known in the art that a message may be encoded on a perforated tape, and that this perforated tape may be used to operate such apparatus as typewriters, input devices of computers, etc. One problem which has existed up to now is that it is not possible to dis tinguish the forward end from the rear end of a completed strip of perforated tape in a simple manner.

It is an object of this invention to provide distinctive visual indications in the forward and rear ends respectively of a completed strip of perforated tape.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an indication in the form of a tongue in the form of an arrowhead protruding from the forward end of the completed strip of perforated tape and a notch in the form of an arrowtail cut in the rear end of the completed strip of perforated tape.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of an output tape guide of a perforated tape punch which incorporates a tapecutting edge for producing a tongue and notch in the completed strip of perforated tape,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the tape guide shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 illustrates a completed strip of perforated tape having a tongue and notch therein as contemplated by this invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the tape guide consists of a support member to which is secured plate 12. Plate 12 lies in a vertical plane. Secured to plate 12 is cylinder 14 having its axis extending in a horizontal direction in the plane of plate 12. Also secured to plate 12 is cylinder 16 having its axis extending at a 45 angle with respect to the horizontal in the plane of plate 12. Mounted to plate 12 by screws 18 and spacers 20 is U- 2,876,943 Patented Mar. 10, -9

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shaped element 22 which surrounds cylinder 16. U- shaped element 22 terminates in tape-cutting edge 24, which is oriented parallel and proximate to cylinder 14.

Tape-cutting edge 24 includes a V-shaped tab 26 extending therefrom.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, tape 28 from the feed shaft of the perforated tape punch is wound around cylinder 16 as shown so that it suspends therefrom in a vertical direction. The tape passes between cylinder 14 and cutting edge 24 as shown. When a strip of tape 28 is torn against cutting edge 24, tab 26 cuts a notch therein. This leaves a tongue protruding from the end of the remaining tape after the completed strip of perforated tape is torn off.

A typical strip of completed perforated tape torn off in the manner contemplated by this invention is shown in Fig. 3. The forward end of the strip, shown at the left, is indicated by a protruding V-shaped tongue in the form of an arrowhead, and the rear end of the strip, shown at the right, is indicated by a V-shaped notch in the form of an arrowtail.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. In combination with a perforated-tape punch; a device for cutting tape so as to provide a tongue in the forward end and a notch in the rear end of a torn-off completed strip of perforated tape, said device comprising tape guide means for orienting the rear end of said strip, and a tape-cutting edge fixed to said tape guide means and oriented parallel to the width of the rear end of said strip, said tape-cutting edge having projecting therefrom in the direction of the length of said strip a tape-cutting tab having a width which is small relative to the width of said tape, whereby tearing the rear end of said strip against said tape cutting edge produces a notch therein and produces a tongue extending from the forward end of the next succeeding completed strip of perforated tape.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said tab has a V-shape.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said tape guide means includes means for holding the rear end of said strip in proximity with said tape-cutting edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,847,526 Going Mar. 1, 1932 2,082,546 Machate June 1, 1937 2,338,288 Leathers Ian. 4, 1944 2,463,514 Bucky Mar. 8, 1949 2,491,816 Keeton Dec. 20, 1949 2,661,061 Werner Dec. 1, 1953 

